Four policemen suspended in Makhunu Bag death case

Bargarh/Sonepur: Bargarh superintendent of police (SP) Ashish Kumar Singh today placed four policemen of Bheden police station under suspension for their alleged complicity in the seizure of a human skeleton case last month.

Considering gravity of the case, Singh also shot off a letter to the district judge for a judicial probe into the matter.

Earlier today Patra and Behera were arrested by the Ulunda police in Sonepur district in connection with the case. The duo was also produced before the court of Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) cum Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate at Birmaharajpur which remanded them to judicial custody after rejecting their bail petitions.

It may be mentioned that the IIC of Bheden police station had called up Makhunu Bag (54) of Dekulaba village on July 17 this year for interrogation in connection with a case Raju, his second son, who is absconding since then. But as Makhunu Bag did not return to his house for several days, his family members had a frantic search but in vain.

After two months, the Ulunda police in Sonepur district seized a human skeleton from inside Metakani forest on September 24 while on the same day Makhunu’s son Biju lodged a complaint with the Ulunda police alleging that the Bheden police, after killing his father, had thrown his body inside the forest.

Acting on the complaint, Ulunda police began investigation and sent the skeleton for a DNA test to the state forensic lab which, in its report, confirmed that the skeleton belonged to Makhunu.

“On the basis of the report, we found the complicity of the Bheden police and accordingly the two policemen were arrested today”, Pratik Mohanty, DIG, Northern Range, told the media persons.

Mohanty also said he has directed the Bargarh superintendent of police (SP) to depose the five others including the OIC of Bheden police station Sushil Nayak, constable Gita Bhoi and three Home Guards Prakash Dehuriu, Pramod Sahu and Jhasaketan Mahanand who are still at large.

“Stern action would be taken against those involved in the crime”, the DIG added.